I just finished uploading my first video attempt at a basic intro to astronomical sketching. It contains a demonstration of M81/82 being sketched, showing use of blending stump and kneaded eraser. I always thought those two tools were difficult to describe with words and still photos...so maybe video will do a little better job at that.

Great video and tutorial Jeremy! You gave me a good idea as well. I use circles in a diameter of 7.5cm, which is probably too small in the dark with my red light. I think 12cm will be better as it is larger and easier to see.

Excellent art work as well!

Thanks for the great tutorial! Looking forward to seeing more! PS: I loved that Space Shuttle launch! Must have been incredible to see that live.

Great Video Jeremy, I came across your belt of venus site a few months ago. Great sketches. I finally decided a few weeks ago to get some supplies a blending stump, pencils, skecthbook and eraser and try to sketch. Using a CD for the eyepiece circle. I've completed about 10 sketches. They are not of your skill level but it has helped my observing. This video will help alot I was always putting the pencil down on the paper and blending in place which made it way too dark. This was some great advice.

Clear Skies and keep sketching. Looking forward to see more of your work.

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement! I have a few more I want to record and edit as I get the chance.

Markus, you're right, the larger circle seems to help getting a better handle on things under faint light. Although I'll still hit the smaller end of the range for simpler objects or sparse star fields. (That shuttle launch was definitely awesome—we felt really fortunate to have been there to see it.)

Norme, I was thinking about how I'd shoot an ISS sketching session...maybe bungie the camcorder to the scope tube and get a gut wrenching view of all the nudging and bobbing around

Kenrenard, best wishes with the sketches—I'm sure they're getting better and better. I hope the video turns out to be helpful.

Jeremy, I was out to polar align, frame an object, attach camera and get it started. Inside while the images were taken. Out to setup for dark frames back in to warm up. I didn't spend much time at the eyepiece. I just crave a night I can get out and spend a couple hours sketching again. Thanks again for the video.

You`ve done a great job. It is very helpfull to do the first steps. I`ve learned faster and this method is more efficent than reading your excellent book: astronomical scetching. I hope other sketching videos from your side will follow with themes: nebula, moon, planets...